2011 Top 25 NBA Players' Legacy Rank

In the spirit of ESPN’s “NBA Rank” system, which attempted to rank, in order, the top 500 players in the NBA in terms of "the current quality of each player," I have decided to do my own rendition of the article: the “2011 Top 25 NBA Player’s Legacy Rank.”

The players’ rankings will be based on a combination of numbers, accolades, nominations, hardware, and the like, as opposed to their current value and quality. In an attempt to boil down the aim of this ranking into one, coherent thought, I have come up with the following statement: this article is “an attempt to rank current NBA players’ legacy in, and influence on, the NBA during their respective tenures in the league, while taking into consideration their statistics and achievements.”

So, without further ado, let’s get started…

25. Derek Fisher

ESPN #NBArank: 215

Fisher has averaged nine points and three assists a game during his long career.

He has played 10 different NBA seasons without missing a single game and has been the epitome of an "iron man." He has won five championships as the point guard and floor captain of the Lakers and has the highest three-point field goal percentage in NBA Finals history with 42.6 percent.

D-Fish has been the NPBA union President since 2006 and is extremely active in the current labor negotiations.  

His infamous .4 shot against the Spurs is one of the most recognizable and memorable NBA moments ever.

24. Ben Wallace

ESPN #NBArank: 227

Wallace has averaged six points, 10 rebounds and two blocks a game during his 16-year career.

He has four All-Star game appearances, four Defensive Player of the Year Awards, five All-NBA Team Selections, five NBA All-Defensive first team selections and one championship.

As arguably the greatest post defender of his era, Wallace has led the league in total offensive rebounds, total rebounds and rebounds per game twice, as well as leading the league in total defensive rebounds, total blocks and blocks per game once.

23. Derrick Rose

ESPN #NBArank: 8

Rose has averaged 21 points, seven assists and four rebounds a game in his three NBA seasons.

He has two All-Star game appearances, one Rookie of the Year Award, one All-NBA first team selection and one MVP Award.

My bias against Rose is that: A) He has only been in the league for three years and B) Russell Westbrook, who I didn't think was deserving of the MVP award whatsoever, and Derrick Rose had nearly identical statistics last season. 

22. Amar'e Stoudemire

ESPN #NBArank: 13

Stoudemire has averaged 22 points and nine rebounds in his nine NBA seasons.

He has a Rookie of the Year Award, six All-Star game appearances and five All-NBA first and second team selections.

Amar'e was an MVP candidate and forerunner in New York last year as he proved that he can thrive on his own team without the aid of Steve Nash. 

21. Carmelo Anthony

ESPN #NBArank: 12

Anthony has put up a solid stat line with 25 points and six rebounds in his eight NBA seasons.

He has participated in four All-Star games and had four All-NBA second and third team nominations. 

His move to New York this past season could prove to be a monumental trade for the Knicks' organization as they now have two superstars in their lineup. 

20. Chris Paul

ESPN #NBArank: 4

Paul has averaged a steady 19 points and 10 assists a game throughout his career.

He has four All-Star appearances, four All-NBA nominations, three NBA All-Defensive nominations and a Rookie of the Year Award. Paul has led the league in steals four times and assists twice.

CP3's future seems promising, considering his stellar playoff performance against the Lakers last season. 

19. Kevin Durant

ESPN #NBArank: 6

Durant has averaged 26 points and six rebounds a game in his short but productive career.

He has already amassed two NBA scoring titles, two All-Star Games, a Rookie of the Year Award, and two All-NBA tirst teams.

The "Durantula" is poised to make a run at the MVP Award as well as the NBA Finals this season. 

18. Chauncey Billups

ESPN #NBArank: 61

"Big Shot" Billups has career averages of 15 points and five assists a game during the regular season and 18 points and six assists a game in the playoffs.

He has two NBA All-Defensive second team selections, three All-NBA selections, five All-Star Game appearances, one Finals MVP and one championship.

His floor leadership and experience matched with Carmelo and Amare's star power could be enough to vault the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals next season.  

17. Pau Gasol

ESPN #NBArank: 11

Gasol has averaged about 19 points, nine rebounds, and three assists a game during his 10-year career.

He has four All-Star Game appearances, one Rookie of the Year Award, three All-NBA team selections and two NBA championships.

Gasol struggled in the playoffs this past season, but given his performance in the FIBA Championships this summer, he should be ready for a comeback.   

16. Dwight Howard

ESPN #NBArank: 2

Howard has averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks a game during the course of his career. 

"Superman" has had three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Awards, five All-Star game appearances, four All-NBA first team selections and three NBA All-Defensive first teams. He has led the league in total rebounds five times and blocks twice.

We could see Dwight in another uniform for the 2012-2013 season if his team doesn't make a return to the finals this season.

15. Manu Ginobli

ESPN #NBArank: 18 

Ginobli has posted 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists during his nine years in the NBA.

Manu is probably the greatest player to ever come of the bench. He has had one Sixth Man of the Year Award, two All-Star game appearances, two All-NBA selections, and three NBA championships.

Ginobli, along with the rest of the Spurs, are only getting older, and their window for another championship is closing swiftly.   

14. Tony Parker

ESPN #NBArank: 19

Parker's career averages are comprised of nearly 17 points and six assists a game.

Tony is a three-time All-Star, three-time NBA champion, Finals MVP Award winner and All-NBA selectee.

He has proved himself to be one of the best point guards in the league year in, year out, and will look to live up to this reputation this season.    

13. Grant Hill

ESPN #NBArank: 67 

Hill has averaged 17.5 points, six rebounds, and four assists a game during his injury-riddled career. His most impressive span of play took place during his years with the Pistons as he averaged 21.5pts, eight rebounds and six assists a game.

He has been in seven NBA All-Star Games and has had five All-NBA team selections.

If Hill had managed to stay injury-free, he probably would have been the closest player to replicating Jordan's feats behind Kobe and LeBron. 

12. Vince Carter

ESPN #NBArank: 121 

Carter's 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists game are extremely impressive considering his reputation primarily as a dunker.

He has had eight All-Star Game apearances, a Rookie of the Year Award, a Slam Dunk Champion Trophy and two All-NBA selections.

VC is arguably the greatest dunker of all time. If you haven't had the privilege of seeing his top 100 dunks, check it out here.    

11. Tracy McGrady

ESPN #NBArank: 178

McGrady has averaged about 20 points, six rebounds, and 4.5 assists a game during the course of his career. He has also managed to raise his game in the playoffs, evidenced by his 28.5 points, seven rebounds, six assts averages.

T-Mac has had seven All-Star Game appearances, seven All-NBA team selections and two scoring titles.

He is one of the most talented and prolific scorers of his era, and hopefully, for his sake, he can salvage his career and return to his superstar form. 

10. Paul Pierce

ESPN #NBArank: 21

Pierce has put up 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists a game during his 13-year career as a Celtic.

"The Truth" has had nine All-Star game appearances, four All-NBA selections, one Finals MVP Award and one championship.

He has been the heart and soul of the Celtics' franchise over the past decade and a half and is aiming to return the team to championship form this season.   

9. Dwyane Wade

ESPN #NBArank: 3

Wade has career averages of 25 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

"Flash" has seven All-Star game appearances, one scoring title, six All-NBA selections, three NBA All-Defensive second team selections, one Finals MVP Award, one All-Star MVP Award and one championship under his belt.

The Heat fell short of another championship this past season, but not due to any lack of participation on Wade's part, who averaged over 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists a game.   

8. Ray Allen

ESPN #NBArank: 35

Allen's stat line for his 15-year career is nearly 20 points, four rebounds and four assists a game.

He is the all-time leader in three-pointers made and has career averages of 90 percent free throws, 45 percent field goals and 40 percent three-pointers. He has also had 10 All-Star Game appearances, two All-NBA team selections and one NBA championship.

Allen is arguably the greatest shooter of all time in all aspects of the phrase. 

7. Jason Kidd

ESPN #NBArank: 49

Kidd has averaged 13 points, nine assists, and 6.5 rebounds a game during his long career.

J-Kidd has had 10 All-Star appearances, a Rookie of the Year Award and nine NBA All-Defensive first and second team selections and one NBA championship. He is the active leader in total steals and assits for the league and is third all time for triple-doubles with over 100.

He is one of the most complete players to ever grace the hardwood.  

6. Steve Nash

ESPN #NBArank: 14

Nash has had about 15 points, 8.5 assists, and three rebounds a game during his career.

He has two MVP Awards, seven All-Star game appearances and seven All-NBA team selections. He is also the NBA’s greatest free-throw shooter of all time at 90.4 percent. He has led the league five times in assists and assists per game.

All he’s missing from his resume is an NBA title. 

5. LeBron James

ESPN #NBArank: 1

LeBron's 28 points, seven assists, and six rebounds a game are the closest numbers we have ever seen to Jordan's.

He has had seven All-Star game appearances, two NBA MVP Awards, one Rookie of the Year Award, two All-Star Game MVP Awards, five All-NBA first team selections, three NBA All-Defensive first team selections and one scoring title. He is the active leader in PER and one of the most polarizing figures in the world of sports—ever.

The "King" still needs to put a ring on his finger before he can establish his thrown among the NBA greats.  

4. Dirk Nowitzki

ESPN #NBArank: 5

Dirk is like fine wine—he seems to get better with age. He has averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds during his years on the Mavs. He also has playoff averages of 26 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Nowitzki has had 10 All-star Game appearances, 11 All-NBA selections, one MVP Award one Finals MVP Award and one championship.  

His on-court performances this past postseason solidified his claim to a spot in the Hall of Fame as arguably the greatest shooting big of all time. 

3. Kevin Garnett

ESPN #NBArank: 22

Garnett has posted nearly 20 points, 11 rebouds and 4 assists a game during his remarkable career.

"The Big Ticket" has had 14 All-Star game selections, nine All-NBA team selections, nine NBA All-Defensive first team selections, one All-Star Game MVP Award, one Defensive Player of the Year Award and one NBA Championship. He is also the active leader in total defensive rebounds. 

He has earned and lived up to his reputation as one of the most passionate, enthusiastic, and feared players in the league today. 

2. Tim Duncan

ESPN #NBArank: 28 

Duncan has been the cornerstone of the Spurs' franchise with 20 points and 11 rebounds a game over the past decade plus.

He has had 13 All-Star Game appearances, eight NBA All-Defensive first team selections, eight All-NBA first team selections, one Rookie of the Year Award, two NBA MVP Awards, three Finals MVP Awards, one All-Star Game MVP Award and fou NBA Championships. Duncan is second among active players in total blocks and rebounds per game.  

"The Big Fundamental" is arguably the greatest power forward of all time.

1. Kobe Bryant

ESPN #NBArank: 7

Bryant has put up an impressive line of 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists a game during his 15 years in the Lakers' organization.

Kobe has had 13 All-Star game appearances, four All-Star Game MVP Awards, one NBA Slam Dunk Champion Trophy, nine All-NBA first team selections, two scoring titles, nine NBA All-Defensive first team selections, five NBA Championships, two Finals MVP Awards, and one MVP award.

He is the active leader in free throws made, second among active players in steals, and has four times led the league in total points scored. He has finished in the top five in MVP voting an astonishing nine times.

The "Black Mamba" is unarguably the second-greatest shooting guard of all time.